QUESTION: My second-floor condo is fine, but sounds from below are coming up through the floor, where one wall sits on the floor. There seems to be a gap there, and the gap (and the sounds) extends the entire length of the wall. Is there any way I can stop some of that sound transmission? Wall-to-wall carpeting extends along that wall.

ANSWER: Stopping sound transmission can become very complicated, involving double walls to stop the movement of the sound vibrations. It can get expensive, but here is a situation where ordinary blocking of the sound may work: Caulk that joint, but in a different way. Pull up the carpet a few inches, and caulk the joint, then nail in a quarter-round molding so that it presses against the caulking compound. This simple but sealed joint might do the trick. While you're at it, contact the people downstairs to see if they can caulk the ceiling joint.

The carpet may be secured with a nailing strip, which must be pulled up, but this can be done with a minimum of effort. In fact, you may find that the nailing strip butts up against the baseboard; if so, pull up the strip, caulk that joint, and press the nailing strip back in place.

No matter where the gap is, caulking it and pressing in wood molding may do a world of good.

QUESTION: Someone painted my trim without using a primer, and it peeled to the bare wood. What can I do so it won't peel?

ANSWER: Sand heavily to remove as much of that paint as possible, wash with a strong detergent, apply an exterior primer, then one or two coats of a latex house paint or a solid color latex stain. Thin coats (not thinned-down paint) spell success.

QUESTION: My A/C unit is in my attic, and there is a leak in one corner of the unit, where a bit of rust is showing. The drain tube is OK, delivering condensate to the outdoors. The unit is six years old and sits on a tray set on open joists, but the tray is not big enough for the unit, so the leak is getting through the insulation and into one of my bedrooms. What can I do?

ANSWER: I don't know why such a unit would leak, unless the condensate tube has an extra hole and part of the condensate is flowing from the unit and not down the tube. Or, condensation is occurring inside the unit and finding its way down. Have the dealer check it out. In the meantime, you can set the unit on a tray that will cover the entire unit, not just part of it.

QUESTION: Insects are boring holes in my wood siding. They look like bees, and some have gotten into the vents in the roof overhang. Can I spray insecticide into those vents? How can I stop them from boring holes in the siding?

ANSWER: Those insects look like bees because they are bees; they are carpenter bees, larger than honeybees, smaller than bumblebees. They drill holes in siding and other wood parts of the house to lay eggs. To control them, squirt insecticide into the holes and plug them with a big wad of glazing compound or other putty.

We have talked about this often, so it might be old hat to some, but if they are getting through C.M.'s soffit vents, they are in the attic, so that has to be fixed. Yes, you can spray insecticide through those vents; the attic will not be adversely affected. More important, fix the vents so the bees (or any insects) cannot get through. They may need rescreening.

Handyman on Call Peter Hotton is available 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays to answer questions. Call 617-929-2930. Hotton also chats online 2-3 p.m. Thursdays. To participate, go to Boston.com. Hotton's e-mail is photton@globe.com.

By The Boston Globe